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Headshot of Karen Houseknecht

Karen L. Houseknecht, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Professor of Pharmacology

Associate Provost for Research and Scholarship

Location

Pickus Center for Biomedical Research 105
Biddeford Campus Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

Dr. Houseknecht's career, which has spanned academic and corporate research environments, has focused on her unwavering passion around the discovery and development of novel therapeutics, including pharmaceutical, biologic and nutritional therapies for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.  

Dr. Houseknecht's current research is focused on 1) identifying mechanisms underlying endocrine and metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medications and the implications of off-label prescribing of these medications to vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly; 2) new therapeutic/drug discovery and development; and 3) identifying mechanistic links between the regulation of mood and metabolism, with application to the treatment of mood disorders, sleep disorders, obesity and diabetes.  Exploratory projects in the lab include exploration of novel mechanisms of drug metabolism, with special interest in the bone marrow compartment.  Dr. Houseknecht's NIH funded research involves student researchers both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Prior to joining UNE, Karen served as Vice President of Global Research and Development at ASDI, Inc., a multinational company providing products and services for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and NGO research sectors. At ASDI, Karen was the chief scientist and was responsible for developing and executing the global scientific strategy for the company as well as managing the global chemistry, analytical, and DMPK disciplines.  She also led efforts devoted to building and managing scientific business partnerships in the academic and NGO research partners.

Prior to her role at ASDI, Karen led drug discovery research teams at Pfizer, Inc., most recently serving as Associate Research Fellow, Diabetes Drug Discovery, Division of Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases. Karen is the author of over 50 scientific publications and patents and has also served as Assistant professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism, at Purdue University and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine, Indiana University Medical School.  In 1998, Karen served as Honorary Visiting Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.

In 1994, Karen accepted a position as Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston. There Karen's research focused on elucidating the mechanisms of insulin action using transgenic mouse technology to better understand the pathology of diabetes and obesity. Karen was also involved in some of the first research on the newly discovered obesity hormone, leptin. While at Harvard, Karen received a research fellowship grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support her diabetes research.

Throughout her career, Karen has been an advocate for women in science and has served as a scientific mentor both in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. She is the recipient of the 2005 Power of Women Award for her work supporting educational and leadership opportunities for women and girls. In 2006, Karen was awarded the Women of Innovation Award for Large Business Innovation and Leadership by the CT Technology Council and was elected to the National Board of Directors for the Association of Women in Science (AWIS).  Karen was awarded the 2007 Outstanding Alumni Award from Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for her scientific achievements, leadership in the pharmaceutical industry, advocacy for women and girls, and support of Cornell's mission. Most recently, Karen was recognized by the Connecticut Womens Hall of Fame as one of the best of "A New Century of Women in Science".

 

Credentials